darlodge

Yes it may sound a bit wacky but is it legal?

I was in London all day today (8am start) and when I got back into Brighton train station at 7pm tonight my feet were killing me and I had to drive home without shoes on, if I got pulled would I have been in trouble?

I tested all the pedals before I left the car park and they felt okay so I left, it actually felt like I was more in control of the pedals than with shoes on.

Darren

paulr

Cant imagine why not.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

I've got a feeling it actually is ilegal, BUT: driving in 3" heels is not. That's 'cos all those ace women drivers who get low insurance premiums do it!! Mardy mode off.

Tiggs

in the summer i always drive bare foot- better than flip flops!

T

Nathan L

Darren

Never in seven odd years have I ever heard of anyone getting stuck on for this.

Can't see why it would be illegal. I stand to be corrected though.

Done it myself before on long motorway journeys.

Nathan..

Shark

Strange question, sorry but thats the way I see it. Is it Illegal to drive with no shirt on?

How could it possibly be Illegal to drive without shoes on?

My girlfriend does it when she wears high shoes and has to drive.

David

NENO

I can't say I've checked with the police but because of my unwieldy size 12's I never drive with shoes (hire cars not included). Checked with my instructor, all those years ago, and and even took my test without shoes on!

You have much better control of the pedals. For me this isn't hard since because small cars have the pedals so close I couldn't physically drive some with shoes on. LOL

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

I'm STILL sure I've seen it somewhere that it is, but would like to be corrected, as I've done ot myself, esp in summer (such as summer is in the UK).

Shark

Another point

My girlfriend wears some very high heels sometimes, and IMHO they would be dangerous to drive in - she agrees.

Nice in the bedroom tho

David

Hoppy

Just make sure you don't kick them off and leave them lying in the footwell. People have been killed when a loose shoe has got stuck under the brake pedal

Richard

sebastian

Never drive in open heeled sandals - its bloody lethal!

darlodge

I was just wondering, I was not 100% sure if it was legal. I just wondered if I had been involed in an accident, my insurers might have automatically voided my policy for driving without shoes. You know how picky they can be

I took my shoes off once I got in the car and put them in the passenger footwell to keep them out of the way of the pedals.

Thanks guy's

Darren

The_Gza

Smelly - yes

Illegal - dunno

P1Fanatic

Cant see it being illegal but have tried it myself a few times on long motorway hauls when your shoes rub your heels.

I reckon it is definetly unsafer as you cant apply as much force on the brake pedal in an emergency situation (IMHO). Not that Ive put it to the test but thats what it feels like. And I walk barefoot all the time so its not like Im some office yuppie who wears shoes all day long and has soft feet.

Simon.

MarkO

I'm fairly sure it's not legal either, although I can't see it being enforced. Can't remember where I heard that though.

Driving barefoot is nice, but it's a bugger to heel'n'toe.

David Lock

Reading Hoppy's comments I will never forget incident years ago when I needed to stop in a hurry driving auto Jag with big middle brake pedal. Hit pedal with right foot and it wouldn't move. Took several seconds for me to work out reason was my left foot with heavy souled shoe resting underneath and effectively jamming pedal without me realising. A long few seconds....... D

Jolly Green Monster 2

I don;t think it can be illegal but agree that you cannot put as much pressure on the brake pedal but it is better than no pressure if you cannot get to the pedals due to large feet or whatever..

I once was trying to learn left foot braking and then had to do an emergancy stop and couldn't get my right foot on the brake pedal as my left one was there and in the panic pushed my left foot to the floor like it was on the clutch without thinking.. of course it was on the brake pedal.. locked all four wheels and came to a screaching hault sideways but missed the **** who pulled out in front of me.. I gave up trying to master left foot braking after that!

JGM

bdrought

It is illegal... got told that by a plod.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

OK, guys, I've been intrigued enough by this to look for a definitive answer, so here it is:
According to Humberside Police, there is no specific offence of driving w/o shoes, BUT: the vehicle must be under "proper control".
SO......... if you were stopped for roadside check, you'd get away with a b*ll*cking, and if you were involved in an accident, you'd be prosecuted and your insurance would almost certainly be in- validated.
I did ask about high heeled shoes, but the officer I spoke to declined to go down that road!!!

Tiggs

if i got a bollocking for driving under control with no shoes i'd have the guys number and tell him to f*** off and wait for my complaint.

T

Nathan L

No its not. Now you've been told two different things.

Alcazars post is spot on. The car has to be under proper control however its a subjective test.

I would never give anyone a bollocking for this.

Damn I agree with Tiggs

[Edited by Nathan L - 7/16/2002 3:52:30 PM]

Blue Flame

WHELLIES ?

Not sure about the no shoes thing.... but I was once told it was against the law to drive a car with your wellies on !! - So I guess the farmers have a pair of slippers in the cab !!??

But who in their right mind is going to drive a scoobydo with your best Gum Boots on ? - Usefull if you end in the fields or ditch I guess !!